Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List

Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «L»:

Laryngeal nerve, recurrentLaryngeal nerve, recurrent: One of the best known branches of the vagus nerve, a very long nerve that originates in the brainstem. After the recurrent laryngeal nerve leaves the vagus nerve, it goes down into the chest and then loops back up ("recurs") to supply nerves to the larynx (the voice box)...

Laryngeal palsyLaryngeal palsy: Paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve (a long and important nerve that originates in the brainstem and runs down to the colon). After the recurrent laryngeal nerve leaves the vagus nerve, it goes down into the chest and then loops back up to supply...

Laryngeal papillomaLaryngeal papilloma: A warty growth in the
larynx, usually on
the vocal cords. Persistent hoarseness is a common symptom.
Laryngeal papillomatosis involves numerous warty growths
on the vocal cords, most commonly in young children.
Recurrences are, unfortunately, frequent. Remission may
occur ...

Laryngeal papillomatosisLaryngeal papillomatosis: Laryngeal papillomatosis is the
growth of numerous warty growths on the vocal cords. The disease is
most common in young children.
Laryngeal papillomatosis can be due to the baby contracting human
papilloma virus (HPV) during birth through the vaginal canal from a
moth...

Laryngeal papillomatosis, juvenileLaryngeal papillomatosis, juvenile: Juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis involves the growth of numerous warty growths on the vocal cords in children and young adults.
A baby can contract juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis by being contaminated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) during birth through ...

Laryngeal stenosisLaryngeal stenosis: Narrowing or constricting of the larynx, the voice box....

LaryngectomeeLaryngectomee: A person who has had his or her larynx (voice box) removed.
A partial laryngectomy preserves the voice. The surgeon removes only part of the voice box, just one vocal cord, part of a cord, or just the epiglottis, and the stoma is temporary. After a brief recovery period, the trache tu...

LaryngectomyLaryngectomy: Surgery to remove part or all of the larynx is a partial or total laryngectomy. In either operation, the surgeon performs a tracheostomy, creating an opening called a stoma in the front of the neck. (The stoma may be temporary or permanent). Air enters and leaves the trachea and lungs ...

Laryngectomy, partialLaryngectomy, partial: A surgical procedure on the voice box designed to preserve the voice. The surgeon removes part of the
voice box -- one vocal cord, part of a cord, or the epiglottis -- and leaves the rest, The stoma opening into the trachea is temporary. After a brief recovery period, the tra...

Laryngectomy, totalLaryngectomy, total: A surgical procedure in which the whole voice box is removed, and the stoma opening into the larynx is permanent. The patient breathes through the stoma, and must learn to talk in a new way. In contrast to a partial laryngectomy....

LaryngitisLaryngitis: Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, the portion of the airway (respiratory
tract) containing the vocal cords. The larynx is about two inches long and is located between the pharynx and the trachea. Its outer wall consists of cartilage and forms the structure we refer to as the...

Laryngitis, refluxLaryngitis, reflux: Inflammation of the voice box
(the larynx) caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus.
Reflux laryngitis is associated with chronic hoarseness and symptoms
of esophageal irritation such as heartburn.
Reflux is caused by a weakness in the muscle at the junction
of t...

LaryngoscopeLaryngoscope: A flexible, lighted tube used to
look at the inside of the larynx (the voice box). The laryngoscope is inserted through the mouth into the upper airway.
History: The laryngoscope was invented in 1830 by Benjamin Guy Babington, a British physician who also first described the diseas...

LaryngoscopistLaryngoscopist: A person who uses a laryngoscope, a flexible, lighted tube used to
look at the inside of the larynx (the voice box). The laryngoscope is inserted through the mouth into the upper airway.
History: The laryngoscope was invented in 1830 by Benjamin Guy Babington, a British physician ...